New signals smooth traffic flow around Megacentre

New traffic signals will come into operation early next week which will control vehicle flow on St Aubyn Street as the first store opens in The Park Megacentre.

The 6300 square metre Warehouse will open in the Megacentre early next week while the 11,000 square meter Mitre Ten Mega is due to open in late October.

Hastings District Council Transportation Manager Jag Pannu says” the traffic signals at the Karamu Road, Sir James Wattie Place (formerly Caroline Road) and Market Street intersections will be coordinated to manage traffic flow in that part of the city. The Flexi Link programming will ensure that when the lights at one end of the link go green, the others will follow in a coordinated pattern. The timing of the signals will be programmed to recognise peak hour demand and will change during off peak times.”

Mr Pannu says” the flow of vehicles along the St Aubyn Street corridor will be carefully monitored over the next few weeks and the timing of the signals will be fine tuned to make sure traffic flow is steady and efficient .”

Traffic around the new Megacentre will be further controlled by the new roundabouts which have been constructed on Karamu Road while cycling and pedestrian links to the CBD have been enhanced with new crossings on St Aubyn Street.

“The opening of the new Megacentre will definitely increase traffic volumes around that part of the city but the new traffic management programme will ensure that vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians are kept safe and have easy access to the retail centre,” Mr Pannu says.

The signature gateway for vehicles to access the Megacentre will be at the Karamu Road-Victoria Street intersection while the other main entrance will be at the Sir James Wattie Place-St Aubyn Street intersection.

The new configuration of the traffic lights on St Aubyn Street will be commissioned and tested on Tuesday and Wednesday next week with refinements to be made which will enhance traffic flow.